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A Conversation in Paradise |
Hatif said to me that in Paradise one day
Sa’di of Shiraz addressed Hali in this way |
“O with the pearl of whose poetry’s sky-illuminating light
The falcon became companion of moon and stars’ light! |
Relate to me what the story of the Indian Muslim is
Is he lagging at the halt or busy in exertion is? |
Is some warmth of din left in his veins?
The heat of whose call was once burning the sky” |
Hali was moved by the talk of the Shaikh
He started weeping and saying, “O man of miracles! |
When the sky turned over the leaf of time
The call came that respect was possible only with education! |
But this has produced wavering in fundamental beliefs
Secular benefits were obtained, but din had been undermined |
Goals also become exalted if the din is preserved
The youth’s nature is paralyzed and very low keyed |
Concordance among individuals is kept only with din
Din is the plectrum if national congregation is the musical instrument |
If the foundation of the garden’s wall is shaken
It is clearly the beginning of the garden’s end |
As the water of Zamzam was not available to it
Some manner of atheism is appearing in the new progeny |
Do not talk of this in the audience of the Lord of Yathrib
Lest Muslims of India consider that this is my back-biting” |
Dates cannot be obtained from the weeds we have sown
Brocade cannot be obtained from the wool we have spun” |
| (Sa’di) |
Translated by: M.A.K. Khalil |
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